Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-25
THE NEW BOARD STEPSIN
MAYOR LESTER TAKES THE
EEINS OF GOVERNMENT.

y
flu Consideration of all Qusstions In
VOIviuG thu Expenditure of the City's
Money-The Standing CommIttees-A
Move to DO Away With Secret Sea-
sions.
The city government for the next two
years was inaugurated at noon Yesterday
The members OF the old and new Councils
dropped into the Mayors room one by
one, and hal; an hour before the hands OF
the big Exchange clock were together all
the members of the new board. except
Dr.. Duncan and Mr.. Wells, were assem-.
bled. There were no speeches and no
resolutions.
The new Aldermen spent some time in
! getting ohclally acquainted with the old
members, and were let into the state
secrets that are supposed to exist in the
caucus room. When this was done, the
old board folded its official arms, so TO
speak, and died an official death decently
and in good order.
In the Council chamber the spectators
| Moor was crowded. Most OF the city Off
Gals were present. There was some i'm
patience when Il O'Clock struck and the
new Council did not appear, and some
wondered if anything had gone wrong be-
hind the heavy 2ak doors which separate
the long room from the Mayors Office,
where the Council was holding It's prelim-
mary session.
MAKING UP THE COMMITTEES.
There was a good deal of speculation
| outside in regard to the makeup of the
committees, although it was pretty
generally understood who would
be al the head OF the most
OF them. There seemed to be a gen.
| eral understanding that Mr. BOgart
would be made Chairman of the Finance
! Committee, and that Mr.. Thomas would
he reaDpointed Chairman of the Commit
tee on Streets and Lanes. There was
some doubt as TO the Craftsmanship OF the
| other committees, although it was sup
posed that Mr.. McDonough would succeed
| Mr.. Bogart on the River and Harbor Com
mlttee, and that Mr. Reid would be made
Chairman of the Market Committee in
| place OF Capt. Derst.
THE NEW COUNCIL.
The minute hand on the big clock had
| Travelled quarter of the way around the
dial when Officer tahrenbach pushed
| open the heavy folding doors. CITY Mar
shall Goodwin let his official staff tall and
the Mayor and Alderme n elect. all smil-
ing, filed in. Clerk Rebarer read rhe Off
! cial report Of the election. The roll-call
| showed that all the members of the board
were present except DR.. Duncan and Mr..
| Wells. Judge Adams administered the
| oath OF office to Mayor Lester, and then
| to the members of the board.
THE GUARDIANSHIP.
The Mayor announced that the first act
Of the new board would be to elect d
| chairman. MIR. Nichols nominated Mai.
John Schwarz and moved a viva voce
| vote. Maj. SchWarz was unanimously
chosen ana gracefully returned thanks 10
the board. Mir. McDOnough was unani-
mously elected Vice Chairman. DR..
| Duncan appeared and was sworn in.
HOW THE NEW BOARD is SEATED.
There was no scurrying for
seats. Mr.. Thomas occupies the chair
on the right of the Mayor vacated by Mr..
! Hamilton. Mr.. Bogart chose the chair
occupied by Mr.. Thomas during the last
session, and Mr.. Reid occupies the chair
vacated by Mr.O'COnnor. Major Schwarz's
place is opposite the Mayor, and DIR. Dun
can, who was Chairman of sue last Coun-
Gil, occupies Mr.. Bogart's place. Messrs.
| Haines and McDonough cnose the chairs
occupied by Messrs. sheldon aud Myers,
and Mr.. Myers moves up to Capt. Derst'J
place. The other members ret31n
their old seats.
THE MAYORS ADDRESS.
! Mayor Lester In MS inaugural address,
which was brief, dwet chiefly
upon the question of finance.
said, (which will engage Councils atten-
ton during the coming two years. /
| ask In the beginning that the necessities
| of the CITY be first considered aud then
the limit OF expenditure. There are two
things to be looked after carefully:
the necessity for an action aud
the means OF accomplishing it.
Every dollar the Council spends
Ia derived through taxation.
! With debt OF S4,O00,000 and a sinking
fund to be provided for, together
vita the running expenses of the
city, which are large, taxes are necessa-
riiy high. There is very little OppOrtu-
| nifty to develOp new enterprises.
THE QUESTION OF TAXATION.
''The question Of taxation is difficult to
dispose Of. Under the present budget
there are ample funds, if properly ex-
pended, for Maintaining the city gov
eminent. They viii not be ample, how.
ever, unless the Council confines its eX-
| pendltures strictly 10 what is necessary
The Mayor said that be had
TO fear that useless expepd,-
lures would be authorized. The
| only matter i'll regard to which he had
any fears wasa lack of careful consldera.
ton which every call Tor an expenditure
! OF The oity's funds demands. The Couu-
| ell, be SAID, has the right 10 draw upon
.he treasury. The Mayor has no veto
| power, and the judgment and decision in
all matters rests with the board. 1t alone
is responsible tog its acts.
THE RETIRING ADMINISTRATION.
In abiding to tae retiring board he
said that he was gratityd 10 know that
the administration OF the clty's affairs
during the past two years was in the
main satisfactory. That it should have
been entirely so Is impossible. No great
question arose during the administration
In tue disposition OF which either the
! Mayor or Aldermen ought To be particu-
larry distinguished; yet the members dis.
charged their duties faithfully. They were
! proof against outside pressure. He be-
| spoke for the members OF the incoming
! board the same confidence which tue PEG.
! pie repOsed IN their predecessors
The trust is an important ore.
and in assuming its responsibilities
he had the fun assurance that tue best
! interests Of he city would be subseryed,
and only such measures would be adopted
as VIII promote the growth and pros
/ perIIy OF the people.
THE STANDING COMMITTEES.
The Mayor then announced the stand
| ing committees as follows: